Being able to safely hold the tube in position throughout feeding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe most preferred position is with the calf standing and straddling the calf to hold the head secure. In this position be certain the head and neck are held high enough. If you are shorter or wearing multiple layers of leggings, be sure you are not pushing the neck or head lower than the stomach.<\/p>\n
Feeding in a sitting position is also safe provided the calf is sitting up (not lying out flat) so the head\/neck are above the stomach. The sitting position is recommended for calves that look like they will stay in a safe sitting position, not with a calf that looks like it could jump up suddenly.<\/p>\n
Some people like to sit the calf on its rear with its back leaning against the handler, similar to when trimming the hooves of a sheep. This is also a safe position.<\/p>\n
Excellent standing position – head and neck above the stomachs:<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/antahi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Antahi_Safety_Illustrations_P2_Safe_Head_Height.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Recomended sitting position – calf sitting up with head and neck above the stomachs:<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/antahi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/P1010193_Small.jpg\")
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How do I clean my calf drencher?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
Clean soon after use for best results.\u00a0 First rinse with cool or lukewarm water to remove milk residue then clean with warm soapy water to remove milk fat and protein.\u00a0 Hang to airdry.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Easy clean material ensures your fluid feeder can stay in good condition for longer. \u00a0The 4l Trusti\u00a0bottle has been designed so you can fit a bottle brush down the handle to clean those normally hard to reach places. \u00a0Another tip is to sterilise with Milton tablets after thoroughly cleaning with warm soapy water.<\/p>\n
Do not soak in acid, this may disintegrate the product and reduce its life span.<\/p>\n
We highly recommend to have separate feeders for newborn calves and for sick calves.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How do I increase or decrease the flow speed?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
The Antahi bottle is equipped with an automatic air valve, so flow results from simply lifting the bottle above the calf\u2019s head. \u00a0Lower the bottle to slow or stop the flow.\u00a0 Flow should be easy with a satisfying bubbling sound.<\/p>\n
Slow flow is possible if:<\/p>\n
\n- The colostrum is lumpy and blocks the tube<\/li>\n
- There is a foreign body blocking the tube<\/li>\n
- Colostrum has been left to sit forming cream lumps on the surface<\/li>\n
- Some electrolytes form a jelly like substance, if you are using one of these types through the tube feeder ensure you feed immediately after mixing, and wash the tube immediately\u00a0after use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Remember you can always quickly stop flow by lowering the bottle.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Where do I position the black sleeve?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Position the black sleeve to the right hand side of the appropriate size mark.\u00a0 The size marks indicate when you have passed the tube a safe distance past the airway entrance (throat).\u00a0 It is better to pass the tube farther than not far enough, for this reason please consider the size markers as a minimum.<\/p>\n
Even if your calf is only 20kg you can safely pass the tube to the 100kg mark however this becomes more uncomfortable for the calf, hence the\u00a0guides.<\/p>\n
When feeding a group, set for the largest calf in the group. \u00a0For example, if you are feeding calves ranging from 20 to 50kg we would recommend you set the sleeve\u00a0to the right of the 50kg mark (see image).<\/p>\n
DO NOT set the stopper to the left or the close side of the mark, this will reduce your safety margin resulting in the tube being closer to the airway entrance.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/antahi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/feeder-tube.jpg\")
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How big is my calf?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
The Antahi Tubers are suitable for use in calves and weaners up to 150-200kg. \u00a0The calf size markers are a guide which means you do not need the exact calf size to use the product.\u00a0 If unsure, pass the tube further down i.e. to a heavier weight, to ensure you are safely passed the throat (airway entrance), as it is always better to pass the tube farther than not far enough. \u00a0For older calves, weaners and yearlings, this depends on growth rate and you will have an idea of size relating to weaning weight and by monitoring weight gains. \u00a0If you do not have weigh scales then weigh bands are a low cost and useful aid for monitoring your calf weights.<\/p>\n
Here is a calf size guide for appropriate minimum fluid feeder positioning:<\/p>\n
\n\n\n| \u00a0<\/td>\n | Newborn<\/td>\n | \n\n\n\n| 5 weeks (or halfway to weaning)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n | 10 weeks (or at weaning)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Jersey<\/td>\n | 25<\/td>\n | 50<\/td>\n | 80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Jersey x Friesian<\/td>\n | 35<\/td>\n | 60<\/td>\n | 90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Friesian<\/td>\n | 45<\/td>\n | 70<\/td>\n | 100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”The tube stiffens in extreme cold, what do I do?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Warm the tube up to make it more comfortable for the calf. \u00a0The tube will soon soften with body temperature however it is recommended to warm and soften the tube for the first calf.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Do I need to kink the tube before removing from the calf?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n No you do not need to kink the tube because the tube is transparent you can see the liquid flow through. \u00a0You do need to ensure all liquid has passed through the tube prior to removal. \u00a0To be safe it is best to wait for at least one second after fluid has passed through before removing. \u00a0Always remove gently.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Are antibodies absorbed as well when feeding with oesophageal feeders vs suckling?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n This is a very good question. \u00a0When suckling, the colostrum is diverted straight to the abomasum (4th stomach) whereas with tube feeding the colostrum is delivered to the forestomachs (1st and 2nd stomachs). \u00a0So you may think that it could take longer for the antibodies to be absorbed. \u00a0A study by Elizondo-Salazar et al. 2011 decided to prove one way or another \u2013 and they found absolutely no difference in total antibodies absorbed between the two methods. \u00a0The forestomachs of a newborn calf are small and undeveloped therefore colostrum delivered via a tube overflows into the abomasum. \u00a0Another study found there was a difference if the volume fed was small e.g. only one litre. \u00a0This is because around a cupful of liquid may stay in the first stomachs resulting in only 3\/4 litre over flowing.<\/p>\n In conclusion, ensure the calf is provided with a full feed and there is no difference. \u00a0Feeds of one litre or less are not providing enough colostrum by any method. \u00a0The main focus is to get enough antibodies into your calves quickly, whether that is through bottle feeding or tube feeding, whichever the situation calls for. \u00a0Time is the critical factor as every hour after birth the antibody absorption capacity declines.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can feeding milk through a tube feeder can cause digestion problems?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Not in the very young calf.\u00a0 In the newborn or very young calf do not be concerned,\u00a0the forestomachs are undeveloped and colostrum or milk flows quickly from the forestomachs (rumen)\u00a0into the abomasum where it would normally go if the calf was suckling.\u00a0 When a calf suckles or nurses a teat or nipple there is a natural closure of a very clever groove (the oesophageal groove) which creates a tunnel by-passing the forestomachs so milk travels straight to the abomasum.\u00a0 When the calf is older, the rumen has begun developing and milk entering the rumen has potential to cause digestive problems due to the readily digestible and fermentable energy source.\u00a0 Therefore, practically this is something to keep in mind when you are helping a sick calf over 2 weeks of age (general age rule of thumb). \u00a0If you are treating a scouring calf over two weeks of age:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Reserve the calf\u2019s energy for suckling the milk feed so you can be sure the milk enters the abomasum.<\/li>\n
- Tube feed the electrolyte feeds because it does not matter which stomach the electrolytes enter.<\/li>\n
- Provide anti-inflammatories which help the calf to feel better and therefore increase their appetite and suckling ability.<\/li>\n
- Diagnosing the cause of scours will enable the most effective treatments and most rapid recovery.<\/li>\n
- If your calf has not suckled milk after 36 hours on electrolytes it will begin to fade due to lack of nutrients \u2013 you will need to tube feed milk in this situation as the lower risk of poor digestion outweighs the higher risk of starvation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Frequently Asked Questions Here you can find some answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive. If you have a question that has not been answered on this page then please contact us via sales@shoof.co.nz and we will be happy to help you.This is an understandable concern. \u00a0While farmers report to be much more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-45","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":222,"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions\/222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/trusti\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} | |
![](\"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/antahi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Antahi_Safety_Illustrations_P2_Safe_Head_Height_Small.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/antahi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Head_height_tubejpg_600px.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/antahi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/Antahi_Safety_Illustrations_P3_Safe-Tube-Distance_Small.jpg\"\/)
<\/strong><\/span>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How can I buy?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/uat.shoofint.com\/antahi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/11\/trusti-tuber-process.jpg\")
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is the best position for tube feeding or drenching a calf?” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]There are several safe positions for tube feeding a calf. The key points to think about are:<\/p>\n